African violet plant named Nancy

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of african violet named Nancy characterized by its single, large pink flowers with wavy edges and darker center radiating into the 2 small petals; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; dark green, slightly serrated leaves; profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of african violet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Nancy.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selection process by the designation H 94/01 and is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made by me in the controlled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic of Germany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated d 111/3. The male, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated d 219/3.

Nancy was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen, West Germany. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leaf cuttings, as performed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

Nancy has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in a 10 cm pot in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville, Tenn. under greenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of Nancy, which in combination distinguish this african violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

(2) Large pink flowers with wavy edges.

(3) Profuse flowering.

(4) Each plant carries 10-12 and more upright flower stems each of which carries 8-11 and more flowers.

(5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

(6) Vigorous grower.

(7) Plant saleable 10 to 11 weeks after potting.

(8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

(9) Dark green leaf.

(10) After maturity the flowers dry off and remain on the peduncle without becoming infected by botrytis.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimen plant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken under natural sunlight conditions at approximately 2 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Nancy.

Parentage:

Male parent.--d 219/3.

Female parent.--d 111/3.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristics through successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 9 cm to 11 cm tall when grown in pots, and approximately 22-26 cm in diameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Round to oval. Diameter: 65-75 mm. Texture: Slightly velvety. Aspect: Shiny, slightly serrated, slightly hairy. Veins: Upperside: visible; underside: very well pronounced, light green, shiny. Color (upperside): Yellow-Green Group 147 A. Color (underside): Greyed-Green Group 194 C with touch of Greyed-Purple 186 B. Petiole: Strong upright, purplish green, hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: Ball-shaped, 7-9 mm just before opening, purplish green. Sepals: Five (5). Color: Purplish brown. Calyx: Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy. Peduncle: Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color: Purplish brown, on older flowers purplish green. Individual flowers: Size: 45-50 mm. Shape: Single violet-shaped (3 large and 2 small petals) with wavy edges. Color (upperside): Red-Purple Group 65 between C and D, center darker. Under cooler temperatures and more intensive lighting, the pink tends to intensify. Color (underside): Red-Purple Group 65 D. Borne: Each flower stem carries 9-11 and more flowers on strong, upright peduncles that are free standing above the leaves, thereby forming a compact bouquet. Flowering Habit: Flowers 10-11 weeks after potting.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anther cells, seed capsule pushes slightly through. Filaments: Yellowish green with purplish edge, 3-4 mm long. Pollen Color: Yellow Group 7 A. Styles: 7-8 mm long, pink, base of ovary light green and hairy.

Roots.--Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownish when older.

Disease resistance: Good.

General observations: Nancy is a very attractive, vigorous grower with dark green, slightly velvety and shiny leaves. A tight bouquet of single violet-shaped flowers free standing above the leaves develops after approximately 10-11 weeks. Each of the 10-12 and more strong flower stems carries 9-11 and more large pink flowers with wavy edges. The two small petals display a darker pink color at the center which radiates towards the edges. Sometimes the edges have a darker touch also. Occasionally, 1-2 additional small petals may develop. The flowers are long-lasting and non-dropping. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of african violet named Nancy, as described and illusrated, and particularly characterized by its single, large pink flowers with wavy edges and darker center radiating into the 2 small petals; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves, dark green slightly serrated leaves, profuse flowering, vigorous growth habit, flowering 10-11 weeks after potting, and its long lasting and non-dropping flowers. 